NEW YORK – An investigation by New York City officials into a charge Kiefer Sutherland head-butted a fashion designer at a nightclub will show the star of TV's "24" was not a wrongdoer or instigator, his attorney said Monday. Sutherland was charged Thursday with third-degree assault in the incident a week ago at a nightclub at the trendy Mercer Hotel in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.

The designer, Jack McCollough of the high-end Proenza Schouler fashion house, claims Sutherland broke his nose after an argument at about 2 a.m. Tuesday. Police are also planning to question actress Brooke Shields as a witness.

Representatives for the three celebrities worked to clear up rumors after initially refusing to comment to the Associated Press.

"We are troubled by the untruthful and self-serving information circulating regarding Kiefer Sutherland and events of last Monday evening," attorney Michael Miller said in a statement. "Out of respect for this law enforcement process, Kiefer Sutherland will not be making any comment."

Representatives for McCollough said the designer's injuries were more serious than what was initially noted on the police report. McCollough's nose was broken in several places and he had to seek medical treatment after the altercation. The police report says he suffered a cut on his nose.

Shields' attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, wouldn't comment on whether she had been interviewed by police in the case. He said that many statements had been falsely attributed to Shields regarding the incident, and were likely made by people not at the scene.

"While at the party, she was bumped into by Jack McCollough and Kiefer Sutherland became concerned," Lefcourt said in a statement. "Kiefer has always been a gentleman in her company. Both Jack and Kiefer are friends of Ms. Shields and she regrets this unfortunate situation."

No decision has been made on whether the New York City charge will affect Sutherland's probation for a drunken-driving conviction in Los Angeles.

Sutherland pleaded no contest in October 2007 to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He served 30 days in jail, in addition to 18 days for violating probation in a 2004 drunken-driving arrest.

Sutherland, who plays dashing federal counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer on "24," won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for best actor, and has been nominated multiple times for his work on the wildly popular show. The seventh season airs on Mondays.

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